Richmond determined to get an indication on Dustin Martin’s future

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — JUNE 03: Dustin Martin of the Tigers high fives fans after winning the round 11 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Richmond Tigers at Etihad Stadium on June 3, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

RICHMOND CEO Brendon Gale has revealed the time is “approaching” where Dustin Martin will have to inform the club about where he is leaning towards in relation to his future.

Martin remains this year’s most prized free agent, with several sides including North Melbourne and Essendon already linked to lucrative bids worth more than $1 million for the midfielder.

One of the raging favourites for this season’s Brownlow Medal, Martin has not let the speculation regarding his future impact his form.

However, the Tigers are keen to get an indication from Martin and his representatives as to whether the 25-year-old is favouring staying at Punt Road or exploring his options.

“We’re probably approaching that time where we’d like to get a sense of where their heads are at,” Gale told ABC Grandstand on Saturday.

“We do have to plan and we've got the salary cap and other players, so I guess we’re approaching that point.”

Despite the club’s efforts to get a gauge on Martin’s decision, Gale stressed Richmond has plans in place regardless of whether the star midfielder decides to stay or leave.

He also refused to rule out the possibility of the Tigers potentially matching a rival bid for the player.

“The other thing is — he’s a restricted free agent,” Gale said.

“So we’ve always got the right to match any sort of offer. I guess we do have that in the background.

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“But I’m fairly confident it won’t come to that. It’s not an ideal scenario and it’s probably uncomfortable for our fans who obviously love the guy.

“But all I can say is that I’m very confident in the people looking after it and I’m very confident in our position. I’m sure it will be resolved in due course.”

Despite the constant speculation surrounding Martin’s future — which includes a report linking Essendon to a $1.6 million play for the midfielder — Gale said Richmond remains confident it will keep its star player.

“The situation with his contract is pretty much as it’s been reported,” Gale said.

“His manager has indicated that he would like to test the market and he’s a free agent this year. They’re the rules in this competition and he’s got his right to do that and we’re supporting him in that process.

“If that makes him feel more confident about the position we’ve got for him, we think our position is very strong.

“He’s a wonderful footballer, but he’s also a really strong emerging leader in the way he goes about things at the footy club. He’s a real connector among the group.

“We think the offer is very strong and I’m confident he’ll be a Richmond player, but it’s a long, slow dance.”